Cribber chain



pril 29, 1952 H. w. PRoTzELLER CRIBBER CHAIN 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 16, 1946 .nllhqll .wlJmlAmliA Wlluljl o oooo comme@` 0 0 0 o:

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April 29, 1952 Filed Sept. 16, 1946 H. w. PRoTzELLER 2,594,990

CRIBBER CHAIN 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 29, 1952 H. w. PROTZELLER CRIBBER CHAIN Filed sept. 16', 194e 6 Sheets-Shea?l 3 April 29, 1952 H. w. PRoTzELLER CRIBBER CHAIN Filed Sept. 16, 1946 6 Sheets-She fr? vena/ far/y W'azze/Zer y Mm Du/@EL April 29, 1952 H. w. PROTZELLER 2,594,990

CRIBBER CHAIN Filed sept. 16, 194e s sheets-sheet s APriH 29, 1952 H. w. PRoTzELLER CRIBBER CHAIN 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Sept. 16, 1946 Patented Apr. 29, 1952 UNlTED STATES PATENTv OFFICE CRIBBER CHAIN Harryl Protzeller, Milwaukee, Wis., assigner to Nordberg Manufacturing Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application September 16, 1946, Serial No. 697,308

sclaims. (o1. .av- 1915 My invention relates to an improvement in a chain and has for one purpose to provide an improved excavating chain.

Another purpose is to provide a double chain structure, in which two chains are connected by transversely extending nights.

Another purpose is to provide a chain in which transversely extending flights have portions acting as links in the chain.

Another purpose is to provide a double chain structure, in which two chains are conn^cted by With, and directly connected thereto.

Another purpose is to provide a chain and link having maximum wear-resisting properties Another purpose is to provide a link form which is'adapted for substantially uniformwear.

Another purpose is to provide an improyed chain and guide structure, in which the chain is guided about a reverse curve. v,

Other purposes will appear from time to time in the course of the specification and claims.

I illustrate the invention more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation, with parts broken away and parts in section, illustrating my chain and guide assembly;

Figure 2 is a section on an enlarged scale on the line 2 2 of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig# ure 2;

Figure 4 is a partial side elevation, on an enlarged scale of the structure shown in Figure l;

Figure 5 illustrates a link part;

Figure 6 is a side elevation, with parts in sec tion, on an enlarged scale, illustrating the passage of the chain about the reverse curve guide portion;

Figure 'l is a plan view, on an enlarged scale, of a length of chain, with parts in section;

Figure 8 is a plan view of a roller chain link assembly;

Figure 9 is a side elevation of the structure of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a front elevation of a shovel ight;

Figure 11 is an end elevation of the structure of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a bottom View of the structure of Figure 10;

Figure 13 is a front elevation of a ight having ,a plurality of excavating picks;

Figure 14 is a section on the line Ill-I4 of Figure 13;

Figure l5 is a front elevation of another flight, having a different arrangement of picks;

Figure 16 is a similar view of a flight, having a still different arrangement of picks; and

Figure 17 is a diagram, illustrating the actual cribbing operation and the contour of the cut or excavation made by the excavating elements described herein.

Like parts are indicated by like symbols throughout the specification and drawings.

Referring to the drawings, and rst to Figure 1, I generally indicates a boom structure, the details of which do not form part of the present invention. Itis illustrated as carrying a drive sprocket 2, having teeth 3, separated by spaces 4,

.. tails of the guide may be widely varied, I nd it advantageous to employ a guide having chain engaging flanges. Considering, for example, Figure 2, which illustrates a section of the nose portion 8 of the guide structure, II is a longitudinal member along which' are positioned channels I2 and I 3, the channels having upper iianges I4 and lower flanges I5. Secured to the outer faces of the webs of the channels I2 and I3 are longitudinally extending brackets or angles IIS, having outwardly extending flanges II, and reinforcing webs I8. The structure may be held together, for example, by bolts I9, headed as at 20, and provided with nuts 2| and washers 22. The upper flanges I4 may be extended by curved guide iianges 25, to define the reverse curve guide portion, shown, for example, in Figure 6. These anges 25 may terminate as at 26 in inclined portions which, in effect, cam the chain links into proper position to enter the excavating part of the chain excursion. The corresponding camming portion 21 may form part of the general boom structure, to prevent undue recession of the chain from the desired path of movement, as shown by the arrow of Figure 1.

The chain proper includes a plurality of basic link elements, each of which includes a plurality of side members 39. As shown in Figure 9, each side member has a convex rounded portion 3| at each end. It has intermediate concave rounded portions 32. It is shown as having four general rectilinear faces or edges 33, which lie in two parallel planes defining opposite parallel edges of the members 30. If desired, the members 3! may be inwardly beveled as at 34, but this is not essential. Two of the members 55 are connected by tubular sleeves 35,y the ends of which may be upset in correspondingI relationship with the side members 30. About each of the tubular connections 35 is a roller 36, as shown in Figure 8, and in dotted line in Figure 9. Connecting the roller units thus formed are a plurality of additional nat link members 4U, which are of substantially the same form as the link side members 3Q, but

have smaller apertures 40er, since' theyV are not. As will be' associated directly with sleeves 35. shown in Figure 5, each member- 4G, has; acorn/'ex rounded end portion 4I at each end. It also has concave intermediate rounded portions 42 and the plane edge portions 43 at top and bottom. The chain is assembled byy passinglany suitable pintles orY pins` 50 through the bores of the sleeves or connecting members 35. These pintles 'are of substantially greater length than the length of the sleeves 35. As is shown, forexample, in Figure '7, each pintle 50 is of suiicient length to receive, at each side of the basic roller unit of Figure 9, a plurality of the at link members 4Q. Whereas the chain elements may be arranged in a variety of ways, I illustrate in Figure 7, a double chain structure, the chain components being indicated, for convenience, as A and B. At the outer side of each of these chain components, the roller link units are-connected by pairs of link members 4d.

On the inner sideofy each chain, in addition to u.)

pairs of 'the links 40 which abut against the outer faces of the roller side link elements 30, are additional flat link elements. Pairs of the elements 4B are arranged, as at C, in parallelism with each roller link unit. inner side of each of the chain components, single link members D. As will be clear from Figure, 7, there is thus provided a chain structurey including two'laterally spacedchains. Each of the laterally spaced chains has roller link components, and

other components which directly receive the pintlesA 50. The pintles may be upset at the ends, as :at-50a, to hold the links assembled.

The two chain components A and B are connected transversely by a plurality of ights generally indicated as E. The various flights employed are shown in Figures 10 to 16, inclusive. Each such flight includes a transversely extending body 65, vfrom one face of which projects any7 suitable digging or excavating element. In the form of Figure 10, I illustrate a single shovel 6|, having a sharp forward cutting edge 62, and a somewhat steeper rear face 63. The bottom face of the shovel is upwardly and rearwardly inclined, as at 64. The digging face 65 joins the inclined forward face 66 of the flight body 50. Extending from the opposite face of the flight body 60, I- illustrate pairs of lugs 10. The lugs are separated by a space proper to receive one of the roller link units. The lugs are formed generallylike the side link members 30 or 45, as will be clear from Figures ll and 14. Thus the lugs I are formed to act as integral parts of the chain structure, and, when lights are inserted in the chain, to take the place of pairs of the side link members 40; Preferably the width of the lugs, transversely of the chain, is twice that of the members 40. The lugs I are provided with apertures 1 I, through which the pintles 5i) may pass.

When my chain is employed for excavation, it

Finally, I also provide, at themay be advantageous to provide a plurality of flights having different digging elements. For example, in Figure 13, I employ a plurality of picks 15, TS, 1T, the pick 'IB being on the center line oi the entire chain structure, while the picks 'l5 and 1T are each aligned with one of the chain components A or B. In Figure l5, I employ two widely spaced picks '58', 79, each of. which is generally' aligned with one' of the chain` components. In Figure 16, I also illustrate two picks 80, 8l, somewhat out or line with the chain componentsA Inall forms the picks, or the shovel 6l, are symmetrically arranged in relation to the center liuc of the entire chain structure, this center line beingy indicated at O in Figures l0, 13, 15 and l5. Also, it is' preferable that all of the pick members be forwardlyinclined, as is shown in Figure 14, and conformv generally to the contour above described in connection with the shovel element Si. It is advantageous that the outer edge portions be beveled or downwardly and inwardly inclined, as atY Sin Figure 1083 in Figure. 13 and 34 in Figure l5. Since the members Sil and 8l of Figure 1.6., are.located substantially inwardly' from the sides of the cut or excavation made by the chain, they need not be thus formed'.

It is advantageous to arrange the flights uniformly along the chain, as shown in Figure l, with the various types of excavator tool arranged in any desired order and relationship. This may depend upon the nature ot' the' material being excavated. Soft material might require only shcvelmembers 6i. Hard material might require more. of the picks, as shown in Figures 13, l5 and 16.

The two chain components A and B are thus spaced apart and .maintained in substantially fixed spaced relationship. The symmetrical arrangement cf the excavating tools prevents any substantial side stress or twisting or" the. chain. The

sequence of different types of picks and shovels insures that even the hardest soil will be broken up, and' will be conveyed out of the excavation in the course of the normal movement of the chain.

In considering the guiding means employed, it will be understood that the chain, in the particular form of boom herein shown, may be guided aboutv a reverse curve, as by the angles or fianges 25. The actual excavation is done at the time that the flights pass around the pulley 9, and along the bottom of the boom nose portion 8. Thus, at each pass of an individual link about the chain circuit, both edges of the link side members 30 and 4Q are subjected to wear.

In moving toward the zone of excavation, one side or edge bears against the guide flanges 25 and its continuation, the flanges I4. However, along the lower side of the nose 8, and during the actual digging excursion, the opposite edges of the link side members are subjected to wear against the lower faces of the'anges Il. This successive wear on opposite sides of the link side members will be clear from an inspection of Figure 2. In fact, in the use of the chain. the wear tends to equalize, with a minimum of deformation of the link members.

As the chain passes around the reverse curve guides 25, prior to entering contact with the top guide flanges I4 of the boom nose 8, the inner lateral enlargements of the two side chains underlie the guides 25, and later the guide flanges I4. 'Ihere is a minimum of distortion of the chain, by this localized contact, because the pintles run through and are aligned by the lugs 10 of the excavating flights. The length of pro- 'jection of the pintle beneath the guide flanges 25 or I4 is limited in relation to the entire length Tof the pintle, as will be clear from the upper part of-Figure f2.

It will be realized that whereas I have described and A shown a practical and operative device, nevertheless many changes in size, shape, number and disposition of parts may be made with- 'out departing from the spirit and content of my strength and ruggedness, ideally adapted for use in excavating machines. However, it will be realized' thatI do not wish to limit myself to .any

It is illustrated:

particular use -of my chain. herein, as a matter of example, to the boom of an excavating machine or cribber, for excavating. -ballast from. between the ties of a track. The

mechanism for supporting the boom does not-.of itself form part of the present invention, and is not shown herein.

Assuming that power from any suitable source is applied to the drive sprocket 2, or its shaft.,5, the chain is moved in the direction of the arrows of Figurev 1. The chain passes about the reverse I4. 'I'hetwo chain components, as shown in Figure 2, are located at opposite sides of .the boom structure or frame. Each of the chain components has an inward extension formedby staggered pairs or units of the side link members 4D. YTheinner three, namely, those that arevv arranged in pairs and the staggered inner singles, overlap and are adapted to engage the innerjor lower faces of the guides 25 and I4. On lthe actual excavating structure, the entire chain structure, including the lugs I of the -excavating flights, may engage the lower faces of the flanges I1.

- I nd it advantageous to employ roller.link components, which interpenetrate with the' drive. sprocket 2, but are out of contact with the guiding anges. In effect, I arrange, in parallel, and in connected relation, a roller chain and a direct pintle connected chain. The two units or components ofeach chain are tied together bythe individual pintles 50, as is clear from Figure '7. Each component of the double chain structure shown in Figure 7 has its roller link elements on the outer side, and its nonroller elements on the inner side. The two chains thus formed are spaced and connected by a closely spaced series of conveyor flights. As shown in Figures 10 to 16, these flights may be of different contours, de-

nd it advantageous to space the iiights closely `along the chain, as shown in Figures 1 andw'?. I 'I find it advantageous to arrange the excavating projections in a balanced or symmetrical arrangement Vat opposite sides of the center line of the entire chain element. As shown, for example, in Figures 10 to 16, the shovel 6I is centered on the line O. In the form of Figure I3, a tooth 'I6 is on center, and the side teeth 'I5 and 11 are equally spaced at opposite sides of the center. In Figures and 16, where only two teeth appear, they are equally .spaced at opposite sides of the center. Thus, as the chain digs, the stress is equalizedl at opposite sides of the center line of the chain and there is a minimum tendency to twist or deform the chain in' relation toits normal path of Imove ment. 1

The present excavating elements yshould be considered in connection with the particular function which they perform. Theyare employable with a cribbing machine, the function of which is to remove ballast from between the ties of a track, from the so-called cribs, or spaces between the ties. The cribbing machine functions Without the removal of the rails from the ties and, as shown in Figure 1, includes a chain carrying boom which may be inserted, between curve guides 25, and along the top guide flanges the ties, and below the'rails. The cribbing ma- "chine may be used either to remove ballast perreturned. In either event, the adequate removal of the ballast is but one factor of the successful operation. Especially where the ballast is to be removed and then returned after screening and cleaning, and, when there is no substantial rebuilding of the track and the track supporting mass, there should be a minimumV disturbance of that part of the ballast which is not removed. Figure 10i illustrates diagrammatically the contour of the cut which is made by the excavating elements, in relation to the ballast which actually underlies the ties.

The ballast is usually packed very compactly with power tampers, around and under the ties.

This packing extends inwardly from the tie ends to approximately one foot from the center of the tie. The center portion is loose. The packing which is secured by this tamping is further consolidated by the trafllc over the rails, which tends still further to compact-the ballast. Thus a very hard "bed results directly under the ties.. So far as possible, any cribbing out of the ballast should not disturb thisbed. The tendency of ballast, under traiiic and weather conditions, is to reduce the size of the individual pieces. A powder, mixed with mud and clay, often forms so-called cemented ballast. It is practically irnpossible to break up this cemented ballast, ex`- cept with sharp pointed tools forced into it with great force. In order tobreak up this cemented ballast, I provide the lpointed tools shown, for example, in Figures 13 to 16, inclusive. By alternating sharp pointed ights with the broad surfaced flights of Figure 10, I secure a breaking action with which is associated a simultaneous conveying or removing action.

In each crib section or space there is a combination of ballast materials, bounded by the wooden faces of the ties, and often bonded to the tie surface. It is important to remove the mud, dirt and debris that clings to the tie without damaging the tie itself. I obtain this result by employingexcavating elements having end cutting surfaces or edges. As will be clear, for example, from Figures 10 and 12, I form a rather blunt and backwardly raked scraping edge at |00. This edge, as will be clear from Figure 10 or Figure 13, is located above the cutting level of-the downwardly extendingtools or points 15, 'I6 and 'I'I of Figure 13. Thus while the downwardly extending tool portions penetrate below the level of the tie bottoms, as shown at X in Figure 17, the end edges |00 vare positioned to operate against the cemented .ballast along the lower part of the side faces of the ties. The preferred contour, which is obtained by oscillating the conveyor chain backwardly and forwardly along the track, while vthe chain is performing its excavating-functimn includes shallow', horizontal ledges IDI, adjacent the ties, a downwardly and inward- '-ly inclined slope'. |02, and a generally flat bottom 1.03.'. These shelvesforledges; l0 l. may be. approximately an inch wide,..to give an example, and the. downward slopes: |02 may approximate 45. The floor or bottom |83 should be several inches below the tie bottoms. to provide for drainage.

The shape of the excavating elements should also bev considered in relation to the removal of the material. Referring. to,- Figure 1, as the conveyor'elements pass vabout the idler 9, they encounter ballast that must be loosened up and dragged out. All. of the excavating members have a forward rake or inclination. This inclination is provided so that the outer point of each :digging element encounters the ballast first, so that: av diggingY instead of a slapping action results; Thusthe forward edge 62 of the vbroad member 6|, and the corresponding edge of each of the other excavatingy elements actually enters .the ballast with a true. diggingaction. As the excavating elementsl pass along and under the lower side of the boom, the angle of inclination thus provided serves to maintain a simultaneous lifting and dragging action. This will be clear from an inspection of the lower part of Figure l. rhe inclination of the excavating elements necessarily has a lifting action on the ballast particles. lis the excavating elements pass to the upwardly and outwardly inclined end portion of the boom, the angle of the inclination is such that an upwardly and outwardly discharging action takes place. The particles are actually upwardly lifted or propelled, in addition to the outward movement, and the' materialv is, in practice, thrown clear and depositedalong the right of way or inthe inter-track space of a multiple track line. The present elements have been designed to perform satisfactorily all of the above three tions and arrangements of digging elements on these flights. I nd it advantageous to space the flights closely along the chain components, as

shown, for example, in Figure 1. I also find it vadvantageous to arrangev the excavating projections in a balanced'or symmetrical arrangement 4 at opposite sides of the central line of the entire chain element. As shown, for example, in Figures 10 to 16, the shovel 6l is centered on the O line. In Figurey 13 a toothv or pick 15 is on center, and the side picksv 'i5 and H are equally spaced at opposite sides of center. In Figures 15 and 16, whereonly two picks appear, they are equally spaced.- at oppositel sides ofthe center line. All forms of the night have in common that they are interchangeable with link elements and may be inserted in the two chain components.

Iclaim:

l. In a chain assembly, a chain guide 1naving anges extending outwardly therefrom in opposite directions, an endless chain and means for driving it, said chain including parallel, laterally spaced. strands adapted each to engage and ride along one of said anges, and spacing and connecting elements extending between said strands and spanningsaid guide,said connecting ele- -ments including tool portions outwardly extendand meansl for driving said chain, said. chain including, a plurality of parallel, transversely extending pins and link elements pivotally connecting said pins, each said link element having enlarged' end portions connected by a narrowed waist portion, said end portions having parallel flattened surfaces, the flattened surfaces of the end .portions of each link elementlying4 generally in a single plane, said chain including av pair of laterally spaced strands having inwardly extending guide portionsr movable` between saidcurvilinear guiding surfaces, and tool elements.. outwardly extending from said chain connectingv said strands and spanning said chain guide, each` said tool element havingv at each end link portions apertured to permit the passage of said pins therethrough, whereby said tool elements are articulated with` said chain.

3. In a'chain assembly, an elongated chain guide curved intermediate its ends, an endless chain and means for driving it, a portion ofv said guide having a pair of flanges extending outwardly therefrom in opposite directions in a plane disposed inwardly of the adjacent outer edge of said guide, toreceive and support one surface of the chain, said guide also having another pair of flanges extending outwardly therefrom in opposite directions adjacent the edge' of said guide in spaced relation from the. firstnazncd iianges to partially overlie said chain. and to engage the opposite surface ofthe cha-in, said last-named ilanges extending about the curved portion of said chain guide to constrain. the chain to movement about a reverse curve, the chain including separate and parallel strands and connecting elements extending between said strands and spanning the outer edges of said guide.

4. In an excavator chain a plurality of -parallel chain components, each such component including pairs of spaced side link members having pintle receiving apertures therein and connecting pintles therefor, and unitary flights connecting said chain components, each said flight including a metal body portion and two spaced pairs of integral spaced lugs projecting from said body portion and shaped substantially like the side link members and interchangeable therewith in asv sembling the chain, said lugs having pintle receiving apertures adapted tor receive the pintles received by said side link members, the apertures in said lugs being spaced from said body portion a distance less than the distance between the apertures, the apertures in said side link members being spaced from one edge thereof a distance equal to the distance between said lug apertures and said body portion, and one. or

.moredigging elements. extending from said flights extending from the upper face of said body 'portion, one or more digging elements extending downwardly from the lower face of said body portion, the ends of said body portion being formed and adapted to act as cutting members having Work-contacting edges located below said lugs and above said digging elements and exterior to the outermost of each pair of lugs and the outermost of each pair of side link members.

HARRY W. PROTZELLER.

Name Date Alvey June 4, 1918 Number Number Number Name Date Walker July 11, 1922 Joy Oct. 27, 1925 Haiss Apr. 9, 1929 Reynold et a1 Sept. 17, 1929 Geithle Jan. 28, 1930 Briggs Aug. 30, 1938 Weiss Aug. 27, 1940 Tiffany Mar. 3, 1942 Haprnan May 21, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain July 16, 1896 Great Britain Mar. 4, 1902 

